Voltage-dependent K+ channel β subunits in muscle: Differential regulation during postnatal development and myogenesis

• Published in: Journal of cellular physiology Vol. 195; no. 2; pp. 187 - 193
• Main Authors: Grande, Maribel, Suàrez, Elisabeth, Vicente, Rubén, Cantó, Carles, Coma, Mireia, Tamkun, Michael M., Zorzano, Antonio, Gumà, Anna, Felipe, Antonio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 01.05.2003
• Subjects: Alternative Splicing - genetics; Animals; Animals, Newborn; Brain - growth & development; Brain - metabolism; Cells, Cultured; Female; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental - genetics; Kv1.1 Potassium Channel; Kv1.2 Potassium Channel; Muscle Cells - metabolism; Muscle Fibers, Skeletal - metabolism; Muscle, Skeletal - growth & development; Muscle, Skeletal - metabolism; Potassium Channels - genetics; Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated - genetics; Protein Isoforms - genetics; Rats; Rats, Wistar; RNA, Messenger - metabolism
• ISSN: 0021-9541; 1097-4652
• DOI: 10.1002/jcp.10203

Voltage‐dependent potassium channels contribute to the electrical properties of nerve and muscle by affecting action potential shape and duration. The complexity of the currents generated is further enhanced by the presence of accessory β subunits. Here we report that while all Kvβ mRNA isoforms are present in rat brain, muscle tissues express only Kvβ1 (Kvβ1.1–Kvβ1.3) and Kvβ2, but not Kvβ3. Kvβ subunits were close regulated through post‐natal development in brain and striated muscle, as well as during myogenesis in the rat skeletal muscle cell line L6E9. While the alternatively spliced Kvβ mRNA products from Kvβ1 gene were differentially expressed, Kvβ2.1 was associated with myogenesis. These results show that Kvβ genes are strongly regulated in muscle and suggest a physiological role for voltage‐gated K+ channels during development and myotube formation. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.